PDP accuses Edo Governor Okpebholo of squandering N30bn left by Obaseki and failing to pay November salaries, prompting a strong government response.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the newly sworn-in Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration of misappropriating over N30 billion left in the state’s coffers by the previous government under Governor Godwin Obaseki.

This claim was made by Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the PDP’s caretaker committee chairman, during a press conference titled “State of the Nation Address.”

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Aziegbemi alleged that the funds were used by Governor Okpebholo to reward political “godfathers” who supported him during the September 2024 governorship election.

He also criticised the APC-led government for failing to pay the November salaries of civil and public servants, a situation he said starkly contrasted with the previous PDP-led administration, where workers received their salaries on or before the 26th of every month.

Further accusations were levied against the government for the procurement of over N5 billion worth of vehicles within two weeks of taking office, without following the proper procurement processes.

Aziegbemi also claimed that the current administration was attempting to falsify financial records by seeking ways to allocate over N2 billion as inauguration costs, a move he argued could jeopardise the integrity of the Edo State Procurement Act.

“For eight years, the PDP-led administration ensured that salaries were paid on time, but as of today, no civil servant in Edo State has received their November salary.

Despite this, Governor Okpebholo’s government has squandered the N30 billion left by the Obaseki-led administration,” Aziegbemi said. “They have filtered the money away, rewarding those who helped them undermine the will of the people.”

Responding to these allegations, the Edo State Government, through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, rejected the accusations.

Itua stated that Governor Okpebholo’s administration was committed to exposing the alleged corruption and mismanagement of funds during the PDP’s eight-year rule. He also reassured that no amount of blackmail would deter the current government from recovering the state’s resources.

“The Okpebholo administration is determined to recover the commonwealth of the people from those few dubious individuals who have held it hostage for years,” Itua said.

“We remain committed to the rapid development of Edo State and will not be distracted by baseless allegations.”